Rates of initial and recurrent thromboembolic disease among patients with malignancy versus those without malignancy. Risk analysis using Medicare claims data.

Although the association between malignancy and thromboembolic disease is well established, the relative risk of developing initial and recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) among patients with malignancy versus those without malignancy has not been clearly defined. The Medicare Provider Analysis and Review Record (MEDPAR) database was used for this analysis. Patients hospitalized during 1988-1990 with DVT/PE alone, DVT/PE and malignancy, malignancy alone, or 1 of several nonmalignant diseases (other than DVT/PE) were studied.

Patterns of hospitalization in elderly patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The purpose of this study was to describe the impact of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the elderly on health care utilization. The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) file for the year 1984 through 1991 involving beneficiaries < or = 65 yr were searched for the diagnoses of asthma and COPD by ICD-9 codes. The study groups were created by determining the first admission for an exacerbation of either disease during each year from 1984 through 1991.

Morbidity and mortality of incontinence surgery in elderly women: an analysis of Medicare data.

Objective: Our purpose was to examine length of hospital stay, complications, morbidity, and mortality associated with surgery for urinary incontinence in women > 65 years old.

Study Design: Data obtained from Medicare billing forms (HCFA form 1450, UB-82, UB-92) in the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review Record database for surgical procedures done for incontinence (international Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes 59.3 to 59.